Costa Brava Holiday - Palamos, Girona and The Dali Museum

Costa Brava holidays tend to mean different things to different people, so I was interested to see this article on the subject of a cruise ship stopping off at Palamos.

The writer of the article had picked up the cruise boat in Barcelona after a flight from the USA and Palamos was the first stop on his Mediterranean cruise.

What a pity he declined a trip to Girona and the Dali Museum in Figueres. Whilst I appreciate that jet-lag gets the better of most of us, he managed to miss a wonderful slice of Spain that is worth so much more than a quick stop.

He says that that there wasn't much to do in Palamos, and with that I can agree with him on, but Palamos is the biggest port in the area and was the starting point to getting him closer to other parts of the Costa Brava offering more in the way of history, art, culture, and spectacular scenery.

I wonder what views and opinions he will take home with him from Spain? Fairly vexing that the gentleman writer appears to be writing for a travel agency, apparently on the staff, so he is not really offering his readers much of an opinion on Spain if he declines to go on the tours and surely he is missing half the fun of cruising by not doing the tours?

It seems that it is not only Spain that he's not keen on doing tours - France's famous wine estates also missed the chance to play host to to this blogger.

Costa Brava Holiday is Hotting Up For Next Year

We've had a busy week here in Spain, gearing up for ... next year's Costa Brava holiday!

I've been pleasantly surprised and delighted that folks are booking Villa Amora up already. The whole of May is booked out and we have had several enquiries from people who have stayed this year to return next year.

If you are able to book this far in advance, you will get the pick of dates and of course villa rentals. You may even get discounts for booking so far in advance. The early bird gets the worm ...

Check out Vila Birdie and Villa Amora for your 2008 summer holiday now!

Spain Blog With Lots of Help

Just come across this blog, which I think is rather good! Take a look at all the free podcasts and information to help you learn Spanish ...

No excuses now! Tell me what you think of the site ...

Costa Brava Spain Sees New Blog

Jippee! My Costa Brava Spain business is finally joined to my Tailor Made South Africa Travel one through Coast 2 Coast Connection!

Don't worry though, I won't abandon you here, I promise! I love writing and fortunately with the two wonderful travel destinations that I love, I will be able to keep everyone up-to-date with everything that's happening.

The name, Coast 2 Coast Connection brings together two amazing coastlines, Costa Brava, Spain and the whole of the South African coastline that stretches for more than 2500 km from the Namibian border on the Atlantic coast right up to Mozambique on the Indian Ocean.

The Costa Brava is tiny in comparison, only 160 km, but its beauty is no less. Stunningly rugged in parts with turquoise blue seas and long sandy beaches and tiny inlets and coves. It is a fascinating destination with history, beauty, culture and cuisine which are international icons.

Why not go on over to Costa Brava Spain and take your pick of exciting things to see and do on your own Costa Brava idyll?

Foods of Spain in South African Twist

One of the blogs we love, which we have added to our Johannesburg to Cape Town blog has featured foods of Spain, which neatly brings together both sides of our exclusive travel business.

Cook Sister is a South African living in England and today she includes a recipe for Habas con Jamon which is a Spanish dish made from broad beans and Iberian ham, rather like Parma ham.

Over here the dish is quite a favourite on tapas menus or as a starter and is very tasty. Do try Cook Sister's food of Spain recipe. It's easy to make and we think you will agree with us, will become a much-loved family dish.

Also check out the fantastic photos of the broad beans! Doesn't it want to make you pick out the beans and eat them straight off the page!

Where is Costa Brava? It Must Be South Africa!

Where is Costa Brava? Well, most of us would say Spain, of course, but this particular African Hoopoe bird seems to have mistaken Costa Brava, Spain with South Africa!

I went yesterday to our Costa Brava holiday rental to show TorreMirona Golf & Spa Resort to a friend over visiting from the UK and to go for lunch in one of my favourite spots on the coast at Tamariu.

Imagine my surprise and delight on gazing at the spectacular Pyrenees Mountains to see the wonderful African Hoopoe bird sitting in our garden!

They are often seen throughout the summer months in southern and central Europe on golf courses and coastal fields, as they escape the South African winter and I guess that he was just stocking up on grubs to fuel him for his long journey south to the warmer climes of South Africa for their summer.

So if you like bird watching, why not come to Villa Amora for your next holiday and spot your own exotic birds from the comfort of your own villa rental Costa Brava.

photo © Arkadiy Yarmolenko

Location Costa Brava Tops For Ryanair And Girona

The location Costa Brava has come second only to Palma, Majorca for passenger numbers out of Bournemouth airport in the UK for Ryanair flights. Bournemouth's busiest summer on record helps the Costa Brava maintain its deserved spot amongst the most popular Spanish holiday destinations.

Girona airport which serves the Costa Brava, is a neat little airport. It manages to process thousands of flights and people in a reasonably ordered fashion, with little fuss and in a timely manner. If you have a choice on which days to travel though, try not to pick Saturday at the height of the summer season. It is unbelievably crowded and waiting around with all those bodies makes it very hot.

Ryanair flies to Girona from all over the UK and Northern Europe, making it one of the most popular airlines flying into Girona and the Costa Brava. From Girona you can also fly onwards to other destinations in Spain.

We love Girona airport because it allows visitors to Villa Amora, Vila Birdie apartments and TorreMirona Golf and Spa Resort easy access from across Northern Europe at any time of the year. Ideal for villa rental Costa Brava in those out-of-season months for a long weekend playing golf in the sunshine or spa relaxation, or those bustling summer months of lazing about by the pool or on the beaches.

Casas Costa Brava - Testimonial on Villa Amora, location villa Costa Brava

Casas Costa Brava are many and varied and those that are rented out through the summer months to visitors are no exception. However, many and varied also applies to the standard of accommodation and facilities that you will experience.

Make sure that you get the full low-down on the property you wish to rent, so that your holiday goes with a whizz, not a bang from the moment you step over the threshold.

Here are just some of the comments we have got in our Guest Book over the last few months for rentals in Costa Brava:

"Everything we could have wished for and more! A little piece of heaven" Mr & Mrs Mackenzie and family, Glasgow

"We had a very nice time in your lovely house. Perhaps too short ... "Mr & Mrs de Coq, Belgium

"We had a wonderful summer vacation in your lovely house. It was very convenient and pleasant. Thanks". Lux family, Israel

"A lovely holiday in a fabulous villa with spectacular views. Many thanks". Palmer family, Leicestershire

"Enjoyed a relaxing week at Villa Amora - very comfortable and lovely setting". Wilkinson family, N.Ireland

"Thank you for a lovely stay in your delightful villa. Such peaceful surroundings!" Mr & Mrs Boss, Leicestershire

"We had a wonderful time in your beautiful villa - lovely comfortable place. Thanks". Mr & Mrs Kaka and family, India

Each one of these comments can be viewed in our Guest Book and a full set of photos and descriptions can be found on our website, Costa Brava Spain.